What Does It Take To Become A Good Racer?

[eastcoast_gsx]

I find it hard to mentally pick entry markers, braking markers, exit markers for EVERY corner of the track.

Stop trying to be so accurate

I just see it (everything) as flowing towards me and I try to navigate the scene.

Disclaimer: The above approach may not work for you.

[caboose483]

Stop trying to be so accurate

I just see it (everything) as flowing towards me and I try to navigate the scene.

Disclaimer: The above approach may not work for you.

Sometimes i use markers, sometimes i just go by feel.

Braking on the straight sections i tend to use brake and entry markers, but in the tighter rhythm sections i'll just go by feel and timing.

[omnivore]

No idea what I do-I'll chip in when I figure it out,LOL
I tried to use the markers but some felt too soon and some felt too late. I found that when I was dicing with other riders the markers seemed to fade into the background and I just did what felt right. I did however, find that chasing Westbrook (800) and watching his markers and lines helped me pick up 2 seconds very suddenly.
1 day of racing doesn't make any kind of expert.

[TLDeano]

Most of it is on your shoulders, in between your ears.
Perception of speed.
Fast to me is slow to racers. Outa control to me is just gettin into the groove for fast guys.
As an example, If you have bad eyes and need eyewear, do a few laps without them, youll be way slower, because your perception is altered.
I think you can improve with experience, but some ppl just have "it" and they excel .

[Grimmy]

Most of it is on your shoulders, in between your ears.
Perception of speed.
Fast to me is slow to racers. Outa control to me is just gettin into the groove for fast guys.
As an example, If you have bad eyes and need eyewear, do a few laps without them, youll be way slower, because your perception is altered.
I think you can improve with experience, but some ppl just have "it" and they excel .

I actually go faster without my glasses on tighter tracks (ie TMP or SMP Nelson), and slower on faster tracks without my eyewear (ie SMP Pro & Mosport).

I've tried at almost every circuit I've ridden. I'm near-sighted, so I can see everything just fine up close, but as the distance increases, the detail decreases. My eyesight isnt horrible, but the detail is gone at longer distances.

[TLDeano]

I think the vast majority of ppl have similar comfort levels while flying through the atmosphere perched on a motorbike, thats why the middle groups get so busy on trackdays. Theres alot of quicker ppl 2 but the super pros are very abnormal.
Theres always the couple who run up front but the real racing is 4th to 15th i think.
I know for a fact that some of the fastest in Canada have a much different way of looking at things, like they gauge how fast they can ride on how long they have to recover (if they ball it up) before the next round. The average sane person doesnt have that kind of mindset.

[franz131]

I know for a fact that some of the fastest in Canada have a much different way of looking at things, like they gauge how fast they can ride on how long they have to recover (if they ball it up) before the next round. The average sane person doesnt have that kind of mindset.

It's more like an absolute belief in your ability to handle things if they don't work out as planned.
When you're drafting another competitor down the back straight and you know you can brake 5' later but you need 10' to make the pass, normal people won't go, but a good racer will, blissfully secure in his belief that he'll make the corner or save the bike to try again.

Being able to see the 5 ot 10' difference and make clear, concise decisions while the bike is hopping sideways and your competitor is turning in on you, is the key ability that separates average from good/great.

[Teal]

Like many sports, it certainly doesn't hurt to fit the bill either...

[kellen]

Like many sports, it certainly doesn't hurt to fit the bill either...

dammit you have a head start!

[toybm]

What do you need?

These ->

[blackcamaro]

Didn't Jamie Hacking start racing at 24 or 25? He isn't Rossi but still a great rider. I think natural talent plays a big role.

btw I have never done even a track day so I could be way off base.

[murf]

Started at 5 years.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie...edirected=true

[caboose483]

I started riding track at 25, and racing at 26.

[kellen]

it shows

[caboose483]

it shows

Thanks buddy. How many crashes have you had this year?

[Jayv]

[TLDeano]

Biaggi had no interest in bikes until 20 ish. within 2 or 3 yrs he was in gp. True talent even without experience.

[fsilva_mcl]

I started riding track at 25, and racing at 26.

Biaggi had no interest in bikes until 20 ish. within 2 or 3 yrs he was in gp. True talent even without experience.

I started racing in June right after I turned 21, and since I've read all of Nicky Hayden's f*ing books and watched all his f*ing videos even though I've only been on the track for 2 months I know I'm almost as fast as him.

[Yamaha_Gurl]

I started racing in June right after I turned 21, and since I've read all of Nicky Hayden's f*ing books and watched all his f*ing videos even though I've only been on the track for 2 months I know I'm almost as fast as him.

That bike on the back of the trailer/truck does go quite fast!

[reciprocity]

my wife makes me wear a Nicky Hayden helmet to bed.

is that the same thing?